My day in Iwate was pretty action packed, and even though I was sick, that’s my favorite way to travel. Don’t get me wrong, I love a lazy beach vacation now and then, but trips that utilize every hour make the expense and time much more worthwhile.

After our trip to Geibi Gorge, we fought the cold and rain (not the best for a cold) to make sure we saw the Chūson-ji and Mōtsū-ji temples before the sun went down. These two temples and their grounds are among the most treasured landmarks of Iwate, and for good reason — they’ve been named World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. I’m never bored seeing the different details that make these structures unique, and the sheer size of these beautiful compounds always gives me pause.

We ended the evening at a local dining spot in Morioka and at our hotel, Hotel Route-Inn Morioka Ekimae. I succumbed to my sick bed. All in all, it was in incredibly busy but well-planned day that allowed me to really make the most of my limited time in Iwate. I look forward to taking Craig back there to do some more exploring with me.

Making our way to the Konjikidō Golden Hall at Chūson-ji Temple. Unfortunately, no photos were permitted.

The interior of Kyu-Oido, the former “pod hall” built to house and protect Konjikidō Golden Hall.

The grounds at Chūson-ji Temple were absolutely beautiful and serene.

Not the safest path, perhaps, but it sure was pretty.

A large torii (gate) on the Chūson-ji Temple grounds.

Before leaving the grounds of Chūson-ji, we stopped by the Hondō (Main Hall) for a moment of reflection.

Despite the rain coming down, we were still able to enter briefly to say a prayer.

Racing the setting sun, we made our way to Mōtsū-ji Temple.

Mōtsū-ji Temple houses Yakushi, as well as two Boddhisatvas, Nikko (Daylight) and Gakko (Moonlight).

Just as the sun was going down, we walked the grounds around the Oizumi ga Ike Pond.

On the other side of the pond are the remains of the former temple complex.

Yesterday was by far my favorite day of our staycation (see day one and day two). Craig and I finally made it to Kamakura, a village in Kanagawa Prefecture I’d been dying to visit for more than a year. It takes a little more than an hour to get there from Tokyo, so this trip was long overdue.

I wasn’t feeling too great but I’m so glad we got out of the house and took the time to make some more memories together.

Always a comfort to see.

This selfie-for-scale ought to give you an idea of how large the Buddha was at Kōtoku-in, also known as Daibutsu: The Great Buddha of Kamakura.

We ventured inside to get a glimpse of the craftsmanship that went into building the statue, which dates back to the 13th century.

After visiting Daibutsu, we went to Hase-dera, another Buddhist temple nearby.

The sculptures around the grounds were the most fascinating part.

Some were peaceful.

Others were down right adorable.

We made a wish for a safe and healthy delivery of our new niece or nephew.

Pardon my chicken scratch handwriting. I blame the marker.

A fitting fortune, considering my travels tomorrow.

The demon crows in Japan are no joke.

The gorgeous view from Hase-dera.

Sadly, these kawaii donuts were all sold out by the time we made our way back to the train.

My parents are here! I can’t believe they’re here in Tokyo with us to explore our new home. My cup runneth over, as they say. It was a bit of a race to the finish line to get everything ready, since Craig and I were both sick this past week, but we did it. On Friday, my wonderful hubby was up at 7 a.m. to clean the shower and do dishes while I hit some deadlines.

I’ll be sharing our adventures over the next week right here, including a new “Small Kitchen Mission,” so be sure to check back. For now, enjoy my happy sights for the week (starting with these epic blueberry shortbread pancakes from Bubby’s) and I hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Yes, that pink thing you see above is exactly what it looks like. And fair warning: that’s the tamest image I’ve got from this weekend’s Kanamara Matsuri at Kanamara Shrine in Kawasaki.

The shrine has long been a place of prayer for sex workers and those suffering from STDs and this festival is its main event. During sakura season last year, I missed Kanamara Matsuri, a Shinto celebration also known as the “Festival of the Steel Phallus.” I decided I wouldn’t make the same mistake again. The Penis Festival, as it’s commonly referred to, is a celebration of fertility that goes back to the Edo Period. The more modern intention of the festival is supposedly to encourage safe sex practices. I saw little evidence of that campaign.

Revelers who flock to Kanamara during the festival can have their picture taken straddling a large wooden phallus, buy several varieties of penis-shaped lollipops and souvenirs and enjoy watching the penis mikoshi (portable shrine) make its way through the streets surrounding the shrine. I also quite enjoyed the costumes worn by the attendees.

Please be advised, these images are probably not suitable for your computer screen at work due to some suggestive merchandise and snacks. I have to say, this was the most fun I’ve had people watching in a while.

On Valentine’s Day, Craig suggested we visit Yasukuni Shrine. This seemed an odd choice, but Valentine’s Day in Japan is typically about the men (more on that subject later this week) and I knew visiting this shrine and its museum had been on his to-do list for a while.

Yasukuni Shrine was built in 1869 to commemorate the Japanese men who have died in war since 1853. To date, there are more than 2.4 million souls enshrined there. The large grounds feature the honden, or main shrine, a perfectly manicured shinchi teien, or sacred pond garden full of koi, and a large museum Yushukan, built in 1882 and full of artifacts including armor, swords, airplanes and canons (I apologize I don’t have more photos inside, as cameras weren’t permitted throughout.).

It’s an understatement to say there’s a lot of controversy surrounding this shrine, as some of the men honored here were tried as war criminals by the West. This fact alone is enough to both give you pause and could render tourists into somewhat uncomfortable observers. But the Japanese are proud of those who fought to protect their country, just as Americans and the people of every other nation are of their own. One may not be able to condone or excuse some of the actions of those memorialized here, but must also has to remember these lost men could very well be the ancestors of fellow visitors. It’s best to show respect, reflect and learn.

I highly suggest visiting Yasukuni Shrine and Yushukan if you come to Japan for the incredible relics on display here. As with all national institutions I’ve visited in Japan thus far, it’s a beautifully cared for place with a deep history that’s worth seeing.

Getting back to my normal routine has been a bit tough since my friend Phil left. Having company in town forces you to get out and explore more, which left me delightfully exhausted and with memories of many fantastic outings and eats from the past week.

Starting with those unbelievable pork buns you see above, found near the Kyoto Imperial Palace, here are my “6 Happy Sights” for the week.

I still can’t get over all the flowers blooming in December. Craig spotted these at the Kyoto Imperial Palace.

The Prince Hotel Otsu had this decadent gingerbread house on display in the lobby.

Here’s a shot from my return to one of the favorite places in Kyoto, the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine.

Craig and Phil were dying to try some okonomiyaki, Hiroshima style. It’s a layered egg and noodle dish served on a hot griddle right at your table. Mine, in the foreground, is covered in cheese.

The bamboo forest in Arashiyama all lit up at night was a magical sight.

Anyone who gets a chance to visit Japan needs to include Kyoto on their list of places to see. Japan’s former capital city is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been, and it’s rich in religious and cultural history. After our trip there in September, I was thrilled to hear Phil wanted to go to Kyoto while visiting us.

You know you’re officially a big kid when parks become your thing. On our way to the Thai festival on Saturday, we got our addresses confused and entered Yoyogi Park, thinking the festival was inside. While it turns out it was in fact next to the park, the detour was a happy accident.

The torii (traditional Japanese gate) leading back to the Meiji Shrine.

Situated at the end of Omotesando Dori adjacent to Harajuku, the city’s most high-end shopping district, the massive park is 134 acres and was originally opened in 1967. There are miles of well-manicured pathways and beautiful places to stop for a rest. And, like all Japanese establishments, there are restaurants and shopping inside. Other parts of the park also draw a very eclectic and hipster crowd including skateboarders and street dance troupes. Takes me back to my days slinging burnout t-shirts at Urban Outfitters. Ah, to be young.

We spent the better part of an hour half looking for the festival we still thought was inside and the other half exploring.

The annual offering of wine. New life goal: Do something amazing to warrant this being left outside my former home.

Another annual offering, this time, sake. Ditto on previous point.

Just look at all that sake!

Entering the Meiji Shrine or Meiji Jingū. Completed in 1921 following the death of the beloved Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken, it’s a Shinto shrine dedicated to their deified spirits.

A place to leave wishes and hopes. You find this at most shrines, along with fortunes you can purchase.

So many wishes! Such a neat tradition.

This communal water tank is used for purification. Use the water to cleanse your hands and even rinse out your mouth before making a wish.